Connect Coliban
7 August 2025
The contractors assisting us with the Bendigo Solids Handling Project have arrived on site at the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant.
This is an exciting milestone for the project which will upgrade vital infrastructure and eventually replace the existing part of the treatment process that takes the solid sludge from the wastewater and turns it into biosolids.
Our electrical upgrades within the existing plant will begin in the coming weeks to help to address reliability and enable the major upgrades. During the electrical works, we will also finalise the detailed design of the solids handling facility.
These upgrades are expected to be completed by May 2026 when the construction of the new solids handling facility will begin.
The new solids handling facility will be within the current site and include construction of the largest aerobic digester in Australia. It is scheduled to be completed by December 2028.
Upgrading the electrical infrastructure will not only support the new facility but also support the installation of a major solar facility at a later date.
For more information about the upgrade visit connect.coliban.com.au/bendigo-wrp-upgrade-project
In December, we are planning to begin earthworks on the site of the new solids handling facility ahead of construction in mid 2026.
We will provide further updates on these earthworks later including any truck movements that may affect nearby residents and businesses.
The Recycled Water Factory is a key part of the plant, delivering high quality recycled water to many of Bendigo’s sporting fields, gardens and public assets.
We have completed minor upgrades to this facility. A major upgrade is planned for 2026 and will involve an expansion to the building structure, increased filtration capacity, a new feed tank and chemical dosing system upgrades.
These upgrades will help increase the reliability and quality of Bendigo’s Class A recycled water supply into the future.
Our work replacing the inlet covers at the start of our treatment process has been completed. This will helps contain odours from sewage that arrive at the plant for treatment.
Learn more about how we manage odour at our plant here (under the Phase One tab of our website).
We encourage you to call us on 1300 363 200 to report odour. The more we receive these reports, the more we can build a picture of the areas of our plant that need the most urgent attention.
Our next update will be on Friday 3 October 2025.
We acknowledge and respect Victoria Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria's land and waters, their unique ability to care for country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to being a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTIQA+ communities and their families.
1300 363 200
Email coliban@coliban.com.au
National relay service 133 677 then ask for 1300 363 200
